Recent advancements in breast cancer treatment have introduced promising therapies for patients with advanced stages of the disease. In November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved capivasertib, marketed as Truqap, for use in combination with fulvestrant. This approval targets adults with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, particularly those with specific genetic alterations in PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes. Capivasertib functions as a threonine kinase inhibitor, disrupting cancer cell growth pathways. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in patients who have experienced disease progression following prior endocrine-based therapies.
Another significant development is the FDA’s approval of Datroway (datopotamab deruxtecan), an antibody-drug conjugate designed to treat metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer—the most prevalent subtype, accounting for approximately 70% of cases. Datroway operates by delivering chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, akin to a “guided missile,” thereby minimizing the adverse effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. Clinical studies have indicated that Datroway extends progression-free survival by about eight weeks compared to standard treatments and is associated with fewer severe side effects. This therapy represents a promising addition to the arsenal against advanced breast cancer, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.
